Advice for a first-time khukuri buyer

I've been hankering for a khukuri lately. I like what I've read about the Himalayan Imports products, and I'm leaning towards either the 15" Ang Khola or the BAS. I understand that the Ang Khola has a thicker, heavier blade and is well suited for rigorous chopping activities. What does the BAS excel at? Which is the better general purpose tool, for slicing as well as chopping, or for self defense applications (heaven forbid)? How much chopping power would I be sacrificing if I go with the BAS?

And then there is the question of handle materials. If I have a choice, should I prefer horn or wood?

Any advice you can give me is appreciated.

David Rock
 
David,

Great to have ya onboard. Deciding which model HI khukuri to choose(for your first or 30th) is part of the fun,naturally,and as I currently own but one Himalayan Imports khukuri(the BAS),my first hand experience is limited. Many other forumites here have extensive experience with multiple models,and they will no doubt post for enlightenment.
I chose the BAS,as a slightly lighter blade was of paramount importance to me when I take it with me in the woods hunting,fishing,backpacking etc. This after reading many of the posts,etc. My BAS has a superb dynamic feel in the hand,which belies its considerable size and heft, and generally what one would look for in a blade that might be pressed into defensive use. I can see why it was chosen as an all round carry blade for Gurkha soldiers.
I personally feel that it won't give up too much chopping power relative to the heavier models,this based on opinions of HI forumites whose reviews and comments I greatly respect.
Bill Martino is known for his courteous and fair business dealings and as I feel your selection quandary over the 15" Ang Khola or BAS is a good one for a first khukuri that can accomplish multiple functions, you might have Bill send you both,see which one you personally prefer , keep same, and send back the other if you can bear it
smile.gif
How about that for pragmatic selection?
Good Luck, David.

Stay safe and all the best, Phil <----<
 
Dave, you might want to take a look at the WWII model, too. It is a decent chopper, has an inch or two length advantage over the 15"AK and BAS.

We offer an easy exchange option. Try a knife and if you think you'd prefer something else, return it and we will make a trade. We will keep trading until you find what you want. If you can't find anything we'll send your money back.

It's easy.

Uncle Bill
 
W

Will Kwan

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
1,594
I agree with Uncle Bill, don't overlook the WWII model for general purpose and defense.

Slicing:

1) 16.5" WWII Model
2) BAS
3) 15" Ang Khola

17.5" WWII model (Seems to fit after 16.5" WWII Model) ???

Chopping

1) 17.5" WWII Model
2) 15" Ang Khola
3) 16.5" WWII Model (close to 15" Ang Khola)
4) BAS (fair ways behind 16.5" WWII model)

General purpose tool both cutting and chopping, WWII model (16.5 and 17.5). I'm not sure yet). Also, the WWII model wood handle is much more grippy when the hands are sweety and grimy.

Defense: Don't know too much here but 16.5" WWII model would be my pick. My reasons are; reach, speed (lighter than 17.5"), and cutting ability. The 17.5" would also be very good if your are strong enough.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 26 March 1999).]
 
David, I have the BAS, 15" A.K. and WWII. I like them all and I will explain their uses in my eyes.

If I want speed strictly for fighting, I would go with the BAS since it is by far the lightest.

The 16.5 inch WWII is a good combination of strength, and good chopping power.

If I could only have one of these, it would be the 15" A.K. simply because it is the Pit Bull of blades. It looks muscular compared to all the other styles. The BAS and the WWII are more traditionally shaped. The AK, has a prehistoric arch to it's spine that makes it different. It's also probably the toughest, unless you go with the monster 20 incher. Think about it, at 15 inches overall length, there is probably no other knife as tough as the AK. And there is a lot of competition in that length class. I bought two of those and do not regret it. I will never give those two up. I may trade or sell others in the future but not the two 15" AK's.
 
Speaking of which, my beloved pet 12" Sirupati is in the hands of the postal service enroute to Cliff, and I'm without a 12"er. You told me, Uncle Bill, that you haven't imported the 12" Ang Khola LeRoy Thompson refered to in his 9/98 Combat Knives article( now *that* one I'd like to see!!! ) for a long time. You import the 12" Sirupati, the Salyan 12" ( does that only come with deer horn handle? ) and are there any more 12"er's that I don't know about? I'm beginning to feel deprived and it hasn't been gone half a day yet.

------------------
Russ S
 
Speaking of which, the small Sirupatis are the only knives I was hesitant to test as I know its not going to be that easy to send them back.

-Cliff
 
I recently had a buffalo horn handle 12.5 inch Salyan style made for Julian as a special order.

I can get a 12 inch Ang Khola for you, Rusty, but I don't recommend it. The AK is a dedicated chopper and at 12 inches it looks measly up aside a 20 incher and will perform measly when compared to big brother. It is sort of defeating the purpose. Don't order it unless you are dead set on having one.

And, Cliff. Wait until you see that
deerhorn.

And, Cobalt, thanks for good technical support.

Uncle Bill
 
So what 12"ers do you have on hand, Uncle Bill?

As far as the 12" AK, I suspect you are looking at it as a khukuri. I'm thinking of it as Mick Dundee puts it, "...now *that's* a knife!" If the 12" AK is anything like the 15" AK I gave away, it would be a nice knife to have if you weren't carrying a Khukuri. I have never seen a 20" AK, and I'm not so sure I want to. As I told the guy I sent it to, the 15" AK is the 470 Nitro Express double rifle of knives, the 20" AK would have to be the 577, and I suppose the 18" AK would be the 500 Nitro. Which would make a 12" AK the 350 Rigby ( in the 350 Remington or 35 Whelan class, maybe a bit more powerful ).

I suppose by Monday I'll have to give you a call. In the meantime I fondle the BAS a lot.

------------------
Joy, joy, oceans of joy...
Blaise Pascal, 11/23/1654

 
Rusty, right now I have the following in 12 inch:

Sirupati
deerhorn, silver mounted
maccha (fish khukuri)

No AKs -- sorry.

Uncle Bill
 
David Rock, listen closely to Phil Squire and tune out all the rest of these non-BAS owners! The BAS is no lightweight! The spine on mine is also 3/8" thick and is only 1/4 lb less than the AK. It appears to me to have slightly less curve in the dog-leg, not much, but a little. It also appears to have slightly less belly on the "fore-blade" (did I just make up a piece of Khukuri terminology?). It seemed to me to be best at everything (carrying, cutting, chopping, etc.) Anyway, choose wisely, pilgrim.
 
David Rock, listen closely to Phil Squire and tune out all the rest of these non-BAS owners! The BAS is no lightweight! The spine on mine is also 3/8" thick and is only 1/4 lb less than the AK. It appears to me to have slightly less curve in the dog-leg, not much, but a little. It also appears to have slightly less belly on the "fore-blade" (did I just make up a piece of Khukuri terminology?). It seemed to me to be best at everything (carrying, cutting, chopping, etc.) Anyway, choose wisely, pilgrim.
 
David Rock, listen closely to Phil Squire and tune out all the rest of these non-BAS owners! The BAS is no lightweight! The spine on mine is also 3/8" thick and is only 1/4 lb less than the AK. It appears to me to have slightly less curve in the dog-leg, not much, but a little. It also appears to have slightly less belly on the "fore-blade" (did I just make up a piece of Khukuri terminology?). It seemed to me to be best at everything (carrying, cutting, chopping, etc.) Anyway, choose wisely, pilgrim.
 
Bruce, what do you mean, non-BAS owners. I have one! It is really nice. And you right, it is 3/8 thick at the spine, and the spine tapers quickly to the point which is what makes it lighter than the AK.

But the...ANG KHOLA....is king. At 7/16 to 1/2 inch thickness it's simply awesome and that it's the one that is used more by rescue and police people, cuz it's TOUGH.

It's like comparing Trinidad(BAS) to Tyson(15" Ang Khola). Trinidad is light and fast, but Tyson can take you out with one blow. And no Ear jokes please.

All joking aside, they are both excellent. You just have to decide what you are looking for. Do you want slightly more speed at the sacrifice of some strength or 1/4 pound more weight with the extra strength. I have both and like both, but I also like the WWII and the Sirupati.

So maybe you need to decide what it is you want in the knife. If it is strictly tactical, I would say Sirupati or BAS. If it is going to be a workhorse, then Ang Khola. I have them all and like them all. Maybe Will and Cliff could give their imput to a first time buyer as well as Jay, they have most of the styles also.
 
David, if you get the 15" AK, there's only 2 others to step up to... the 17/18" AK, and the 20" AK. It's like starting off drinking 151 rum, then trying to go down to beer. The 12" Sirupati is my favorite, then the 15" Sirupati, which is quite close to the BAS. If you've never had a khukuri, the 12" will impress you if you aren't looking for a substitute axe. And it's probably as much a chopper as the big bowies. But then handle any HI khukuri and you immediately go grom wanting to needing it. Even if you have no idea what you need it for you buy it and then make a use for it.. Face it. You need them all, you just don't know it yet.

------------------
Joy, joy, oceans of joy... Blaise Pascal


 
David,--If this helps, the scabbard of the BAS is a little different in design, and a bit more narrow than the 15" Ang Khola. Both knives are no less than 3/8" thick at the back of the blade. Of coarse I know that Gurkhas are born in a harsh and difficult terrain, and experts with khukuris, so I sometimes use what I think is the ave. bodyweight of a Gurkha as compared to my own for a reference. You won't go wrong whatever you get. Then maybe work on a collection.

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With forumites and customers like the above there is not much left for me to do.

David, my suggestion is this. Based on the info you have make a selection. Try it out and see if it fits your hand and does what you want it to do. If it doesn't, send it back and try another. All this costs is the shipping price. Keep trying until you find the right one. And, don't worry. You will not hurt the knife during trials. It will be as good as new when you send it back for a trade.

Uncle Bill
 
David, I'm 5'4" with proportional hands. I like the little ones (12" Sirupati) but I also like 38 snubs for the same reason. The little ones are more apt to be there when you need one, even if the big ones do a better job all the way around. The BAS can do it all, like a 4" 357. You can't go wrong with it, all around. Just realize that it's likely to be your first, not your only. HIKV (Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus) progresses to full blown Khukuriholism very swiftly.
 
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